Patents by Inventor Thomas H. Barrows

Thomas H. Barrows has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Absorbable nerve repair device and method
    Patent number: 4883618
    Abstract: Medical devices for the sutureless repair of lacerated, severed, or grafted nerves comprising longitudinally-openable, porous, rough-surfaced tubes of a body-absorbable polymer are disclosed. The tubular devices of the invention are prepared by sintering or otherwise bonding together granules or fibers, or melt processing suitable polymers in the form of the desired device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Thomas H. Barrows
  • Surgical staple
    Patent number: 4719917
    Abstract: A surgical staple and method for its use in closing an opening in mammalian tissue are disclosed. The staple comprises a central portion of strong, ductile, non-absorbable material and lower leg portions of absorbable material positioned at opposite ends of the central portion. The staple when closed is bent in the central portion to form a crown portion, so that the lower leg portions are in positions which approximate one another. After engagement, the lower leg portions extend through the tissue on either side of a closed opening so as to hold the tissue firmly in the closed position. After sufficient tissue healing has occurred, the biodegradable lower leg portions will loosen from the central portion, thus allowing for facile removal of the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Thomas H. Barrows, Harold E. Froehlich
  • Absorbable nerve repair device and method
    Patent number: 4669474
    Abstract: Medical devices for the sutureless repair of lacerated, severed, or grafted nerves comprising longitudinally-openable, porous, rough-surfaced tubes of a body-absorbable polymer are disclosed. The tubular devices of the invention are prepared by sintering or otherwise bonding together granules or fibers, or melt processing suitable polymers in the form of the desired device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Thomas H. Barrows
  • Absorbable sutureless nerve repair device
    Patent number: 4534349
    Abstract: Medical devices for the sutureless repair of lacerated, severed, or grafted nerves comprising longitudinally-openable, porous, rough-surfaced tubes of a body-absorbable polymer are disclosed. The tubular devices of the invention are prepared by sintering or otherwise bonding together granules or fibers, or melt processing suitable polymers in the form of the desired device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Thomas H. Barrows
  • Process for preparing synthetic absorbable poly(esteramides)
    Patent number: 4529792
    Abstract: A body absorbable polymeric material for implantation which is a condensation product of reacting a diamine with lactic or glycolic acid to form a diamidediol which is then reacted with a bischloroformate or a compound selected from the group consisting of dicarboxylic acids, methyl and ethyl esters of dicarboxylic acids, diacidchlorides, and anhydrides of a dicarboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Thomas H. Barrows
  • Polymeric acid contraceptive devices
    Patent number: 4360013
    Abstract: A disposable non-woven sponge vaginal contraceptive device is made of alginic acid or related polysaccharides bearing carboxylic acid functionality and a method of making same is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Thomas H. Barrows
  • Synthetic absorbable surgical devices of poly(esteramides)
    Patent number: 4343931
    Abstract: A body absorbable polymeric material for implantation which is a condensation product of reacting a diamine with lactic or glycolic acid to form a diamidediol which is then reacted with a bischloroformate or a compound selected from the group consisting of dicarboxylic acids, methyl and ethyl esters of dicarboxylic acids, diacidchlorides, and anhydrides of a dicarboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Thomas H. Barrows